| Author | Message | ||
     Hattori_hanzo |
I dunno...most of the reviews I've read have been pretty honest and favorable. Of course you're gonna get the occasional jackass that has some obscure anti-Buell fetish (superbikeplanet for one), but for the most part the stuff I've read has been good. Here's a link to a Canadian review of the Uly. http://www.cmgonline.com/bikes/articles/06_Ulysses/index.html Also, I found this site a long time ago. It has archives of motorcycle reviews of all makes. Some great reading and even research material if you're thinking of buying an older model brand XYZ. http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/clasqm/homepage.html Just take these things as they are...personal opinions. And you know what they say about assholes and opinions...everyone has one. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I didn't hijack anything. 71sportster did that. And you had nothing to say. But then I could have figured that from the clever "your mom" comment in your bio under "favorite rides". Very grown up. Just what I would expect from the director of the american thunderbike club.  | ||
| Don668 |
I find the US reviews aren't always favorable, but European mags like Bike & Ride often have good honest reviews. Also motorcycle.com has good reviews and comparisons with Ducati, and the like. When it comes down to it... it is what it is. (after riding my buddy's GSX-R1000 I want one! And he wants a Buell now too, I'll never sell the Buell though) | ||
| Buellshyter |
Cochise, V-Rod power plant in an XB?? Talk about a leap in the wrong direction. Nice power plant but it weighs and is as big as a dinosaur. I like speed as much as the next guy but I don't understand the obsession with it. I think it's an American phenomena - the same reason why people prefer to watch cars go in circles at Nascar, instead of Indy cars. I wonder why some of you even purchased a Buell. I seriously don't think you "get it". It is not a race replica. If you speed junkies want speed why not go get yourself a MTT turbine superbike and be done with it. In the immortal words of Jeremy McWilliams, "It is what it is". | ||
| Diablobrian |
You know, one of the reasons Buells get criticized for being slow is the "lazy" sound of the motor. My son, who had ridden with me on the back of my gixxer before, on returning from our first ride on the XB together estimated our top speed as being 40-45mph. We were cruising at 80 and hit 120 at one point. He couldn't believe it because it didn't sound like we were going that fast. I've had to adjust to the different sound of the XB too. | ||
| Imonabuss |
Not all magazines are screwed, but there is unquestionably an anti-Buell bias in most. Remember, Motorcyclist rated the XB12S "the worst motorcyccle ever". Sorry, but that is so absurd, I have never read that magazine again. What they said was a terrible disservice to potential buyers who now will never experience one, and ranks as the lowest ofrm of journalism possible. Pure slander of hatred. | ||
| Cochise |
I didn't hijack anything. 71sportster did that. And you had nothing to say. But then I could have figured that from the clever "your mom" comment in your bio under "favorite rides". Very grown up. Just what I would expect from the director of the american thunderbike club. Throw a rock into a pack of Dogs, the one that screams is the one you hit.  Now my question is...What is Just what I would expect from the director of the american thunderbike club. supposed to mean?  Oh yeah, do I know your mom?  | ||
| Redstar11 |
When compared to my other Japanese bikes, (GSXR 1000, RC-51), my Buell is slow, down on power, cornering power could be debated, clunky shifting, and anything but smooth. However, at the end of the day, I have a huge smile on my face after riding the thing. I have barely ridden my other bikes since purchasing the Buell. I don't think that's something that can be measured in a magazine stat list. Afterall, the amount of enjoyment I get from riding the bike is the only thing that matters to me. | ||
| Garp |
Ditto. I love my Buell. What the magazines consider flaws, I consider character. My Honda is a bland appliance, but my Buell is alive and has a soul. It is not an easy machine to love, but once you fall for it, there is nothing else. | ||
| Cochise |
Cochise, V-Rod power plant in an XB?? Talk about a leap in the wrong direction. Nice power plant but it weighs and is as big as a dinosaur. I like speed as much as the next guy but I don't understand the obsession with it. I think it's an American phenomena - the same reason why people prefer to watch cars go in circles at Nascar, instead of Indy cars. I wonder why some of you even purchased a Buell. I seriously don't think you "get it". It is not a race replica. If you speed junkies want speed why not go get yourself a MTT turbine superbike and be done with it. In the immortal words of Jeremy McWilliams, "It is what it is". Yeah, the V-Rod thing was way before the XBRR came out. I just never changed it. MY reason for Buying a Buell wasn't to have a FAST bike, it was to have a Harley, I couldn't afford it so I bought a Buell..that was three Buells ago ('01 X-1, '04 XB12R, '06 XB12Ss.) Now I don't think I'll buy a Harley unless I'm an old guy (or hit the lottery, which I won't try) I personally don't like the "Rice Replicas" myself, so I will try to make my Buell run as fast as I can. If I never beat a Jap bike, I'm okay with that, but to "beat up" a Harley at the track, bring it on. Crap, now I'M hijacking this thread, sorry Emery. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Here's what it means Cochise: Sarcasm. This may be a concept lost to the ignorant. And it doesn't matter if you know my mom or not. Your bio is there for people to click on and read so they can know a bit about the person they are responding to. Yours says your favorite ride is "your mom". When I'm reading it, that means me. And then I see that you're the owner or president or whatever title you gave yourself at american thunderbike club. Those two things in conjunction with each other tell me everything I need to know about ya. Any other questions? | ||
| 71sportster |
Guess you failed to read this - PLEASE - trolls need NOT respond to this thread !!! Guess YOU failed to read this? So, call me a troll, or do all the crying & name calling you want, but even that will not change the facts. If you’re being intolerant of descent or opposed to a differing view makes me a “Troll”, then so be it, but I much prefer to be a realist. And, Ducati's have been using Desmo for decades. If you think they are pushrod motors, you're even more delusional than I thought! | ||
| Pwnzor |
I never said I was offended. Very clever how you spit my own words back at me. I obviously know what a joke is because I'm still talking to you and not taking it to a personal level. BTW here is rule #3 from your site: 3.)Act like an adult. Try applying that wherever you go. | ||
| 71sportster |
"Why is it trollish to agree with valid criticisms of a motorcycle?" It's NOT, but the insecure and ignorant take it that way! I'll go back to my original analogy: It’s like an F-16 and a Sopwith Camel. Both, for different reasons would be an incredible trip to fly. The F-16 for it’s shear performance & technology, and the Camel for a real, open cockpit, seat of the pants, flying experience. They ARE apples and Oranges, just like my XB and my Aprilia. I enjoy BOTH immensely, for different reasons. If the insecure, brand faithful take offense to that, that’s THEIR problem. Get a life! | ||
| 71sportster |
"Would a Buell still BE a Buell if it had a 12k rpm redline, whining, screamer V twin?" No, it would be an Aprilia, with even MORE torque, low-end grunt & HP! And it doesn't Whine. With Arrow head pipes & Devil cans, it sounds more like a WW II vintage P-47 Thunderbolt radial engine. | ||
| Garp |
Well since this thread is thoroughly of track any way, let me throw in my opinion of Aprilia. That is one brand of motorcycle that could disappear tomorrow, and I would not miss it for a second. My Aprilia was the WORST motorcycle I have ever owned, and as as a former CZ owner (Fine Communist Chekoslovakian craftsmanship) that is saying something. Aprilias's should have had Italian Character and Japanese reliability, but in an inspired move they instead chose Japanese character and Italian reliability. Two years ago parts were hard to get. Since they have gone bankrupt, been bought and switched the US importer to the Piaggio Scooter operation I am told it has only got worse. | ||
| Pwnzor |
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| Pwnzor |
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| 71sportster |
I don't know what type, or what year Aprilia you owned, but my '04 has been as reliable as any Jap bike I've ever owned and has character and exclusivity Ducati and Buell could only pray for! Parts availability and servicing dealers are about on the same par as Buell, but with the reliability, it’s a moot point. The company, though in trouble a couple years ago is solvent now. I can say, that upon delivery, I was not satisfied with my RSVR Factory at all, and couldn’t figure out what all the excitement was about. After doing some minor Mods: Exhaust, Air-box, PC III and custom map, it went from being a turd to a GP bike. Any of you who think a Buell handles well, or is fast, just look for me riding this bike in NJ.  | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
id love to take one of those for a ride....funny u mentioned a TL before..those are almost impossible to find wrecked...the aprillas...theres at least one a week....little too much bike for some eh....but id give my right one for a few hours with that....id like to think my other buell cohorts could appreciate a fine piece of machinery i mean we all ride because we love bikes right....i watch torque once a month just so i can see one of those tear up the road hahahaha....hell id love to ride a 999 and an RC51 one of these days ive been dying to find the right ZX10 for a good price. to make a short story long...daaamn thats sweet. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I think it comes down to two things: 1) Ad $ 2) All out racing win (not some specialized series). These magazines are fighting for fewer and fewer ad $. With more and more publications these companies are having a difficult time grabbing readers. Writing about how a Buell "has soul" doesn't sell mass market magazines. Mass market magazines care about who won what this week, and who can go 200+mph. Same principle can be applied to what happened to Triumph. Up until the new 675 triple came out, they had retro bikes, a freakish looking muscle cruiser (rocket III), and middle of the road sport bikes. The press was brutal on them for it. Now the owners of Triumph's are just as mad about Triumphs as we are about Buells. Now that Triumph has a bike (675) that is truly world class (sound, look, performance) they are getting AMAZING press coverage. In fact I would say that bike has received more press than any other this year. Buell has a good start with the Uly, but those looking at the Uly are not the same people who are looking for an R1. When Buell releases an R6/R1 competitor the mass sportbike press will come around. Now when talking about Aprilia/Duc these are not just performance machines. These are designer bikes (not to bash them in anyway). These are like comparing a set of Nike shoes (think Honda) to pair of Prada. The nikes might be better all around running shoes, but the Prada's are what people are willing to spend $600+ on. If you are really concerned with mass market cycle publications, stop subscribing to them. There are other publications that have more balanced reviews. Personally I like MO (www.motorcycle.com) I only started to consider Buell after reading some of their articles. How many times have you read about what editors would spend their own $ on? Most will not admit it for fear of ad revenue loss. If you look at MO they admit that they would spend their $ on an XB. In my short time on this planet I have learned that protesting, bitching, complaining etc... does very little to change things. Only one thing does, Vote with your dollars. | ||
| Eexb |
CM, "These magazines are fighting for fewer and fewer ad $. With more and more publications these companies are having a difficult time grabbing readers. Writing about how a Buell "has soul" doesn't sell mass market magazines. Mass market magazines care about who won what this week, and who can go 200+mph." THANKS, for putting this thread back on track. Seems like anytime 71sportster (his name for this week) get's involved, he somehow "forces" the thread into bragging about "his" Aprilia. Thanks again, E | ||
| 71sportster |
OK, Buell & magazines then! Let me brag about my Buell: Though slow, It's beautiful. I rebuilt it after my accident with ALL carbon parts, including a ducted air-box cover & large, right-side scoop. All LED turn signals & clear lenses (Tail included!), chopped rear & BOTH headlights work with H-4 bulbs, the way it should have from the factory. I've got a Ceramic coated D & D on it with open air-box, K & N and Race ECM. It's the perfect bike for an old fart (ME) to ride around Florida, where the roads unfortunately, are all straight & flat. AND, The magazine I write for, might be featuring the bike for a spot. How's that Eexb? Sorry, with someone as easy as you, it's difficult not to push those buttons!  | ||
| Pwnzor |
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| Eexb |
"Sorry, with someone as easy as you, it's difficult not to push those buttons!" And that seems to be the ONLY reason you're here. Why not be like 99% of the rest of us and find something to have a discussion about WITHOUT purposely "pushing someone's buttons". BTW - Your profile says you're from NY, you talk earlier in this thread about riding in NJ, but you live in Florida. Must travel a lot huh ??? | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Eexb, He's just trying to start trouble and he's spreading his load of crap amongst the threads. BTW -- I really like your response  G2 | ||
| Eexb |
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| Shinobi13 |
Bottom line, my brothers and sisters: We love our Buells for various reasons. I still use my CBR for track days, but my Buell rules the roost when I head for the street. I didn't need 160+ horsepower for the street, liquid cooling, or full bodywork. Erik Buell has hit the mark for what I, as well as throngs of others on this website, want for our street ride. Sorry, just my 2 cents... | ||
| Perry |
Back to the topic: I subscribe to 4 motorcycle magazines, two are sportbike focused and two are more general. I agree that there is a definite bias against Buell. The Buell is said to be underpowered, but somewhat torquey, while another naked bike pulls like a train, worlds of torque, etc. - then I start thinking maybe I should check that bike out and I read the specs - and it's significantly LESS hp and LESS torque than the Buell. In short, the Buell has faults and I expect those to be reported. My gripe is that they don't treat all brands equally. After reading these four magazines for a few years now I think it is pretty clear - bikes with much less of the good get more positive reports than Buells. The Uly got some good press, but some reviews seemed almost apologetic in having to admit the Buell was a great bike. | ||
| M1combat |
"After doing some minor Mods: Exhaust, Air-box, PC III and custom map, it went from being a turd to a GP bike. " Uhhh... LOL . It's a polished turd . |
